This cherished avenue serves as the city's nerve center. The tree-lined area acts as the shy younger sister of Paris's Champs-Elysees. Cours Mirabeau divides Aix-en-Provence into two areas. The north's narrow streets and medieval feel add an air of quaint sophistication to the area, while enormous, overpowering 18th century mansions lend a less subtle, but none the less sophisticated feel to the south.